Top of the Morning: Sudanese Troops Reportedly Invade the South

Tensions are rising. Again. “South Sudan says at least 3,000 troops from neighboring Sudan have entered its territory, as tensions rise between the countries. Southern army spokesman Philip Aguer says the troops entered the town of Kuake in Upper Nile state on Saturday. He says the alleged incursion violates a 2012 cooperation agreement that led to both countries pulling their forces from disputed border areas. On Saturday, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir ordered a shutdown of a pipeline that carries South Sudanese oil through the country for export. Bashir said the move is in response to South Sudan’s funding of rebels fighting his government.” (Voice of America http://bit.ly/17DhlnW)

New Climate Change Report from International Energy Agency Not All Bad News

The scientific body also outlines four policies that can curb emissions by 2020. “New estimates for global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2012 reveal a 1.4% increase, reaching a record high of 31.6 gigatonnes (Gt), but also mask significant regional differences. In the United States, a switch from coal to gas in power generation helped reduce emissions by 200 million tonnes (Mt), bringing them back to the level of the mid‑1990s. China experienced the largest growth in CO2 emissions (300 Mt), but the increase was one of the lowest it has seen in a decade, driven by the deployment of renewables and improvements in energy intensity. Despite increased coal use in some countries, emissions in Europe declined by 50 Mt. Emissions in Japan increased by 70 Mt.” (International Energy Agency http://bit.ly/17DiCvp)